{"id":17059,"date":"2021-09-02T06:49:51","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T06:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/?p=17059"},"modified":"2021-09-02T11:28:08","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T11:28:08","slug":"africa-needs-to-prioritise-stem-focused-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swmcommunications.co.za\/press-office\/africa-needs-to-prioritise-stem-focused-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Africa needs to prioritise STEM-focused education"},"content":{"rendered":"

2 September 2021<\/em>: The New York Academy of Sciences estimates that sub-Saharan Africa requires 2.5 million more engineers to address the continent\u2019s gravest development problems.<\/p>\n

In the past five to ten years there has been an increased focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers in response to gradually declining numbers of matriculants choosing these subjects. However, despite this focus, the number of learners electing core mathematics as a subject in matric has not improved which excludes then from pursuing tertiary studies in STEM fields, reveals Mevashnee Naidoo, Human Resources Director at Knight Pi\u00e9sold South Africa.<\/p>\n

This has a direct impact on the consulting engineering industry in South Africa and, by extension, infrastructure development in Africa. \u201cEngineering requires skilled and experienced engineers,\u201d explains Naidoo. \u201cThe fewer graduates we have in the field the smaller the potential workforce becomes.\u201d<\/p>\n

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many \u00a0engineering graduates are lost to other industries and \u00a0to other countries via emigration. \u201cWe urgently need more \u00a0engineering graduates to enter the workforce and be trained and developed by experienced engineering specialists,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

To achieve this, South Africa urgently needs to improve awareness around STEM education. \u201cWe need to start by offering STEM subjects, taught by appropriately qualified specialist teachers, as early as primary school level – exposure is key at an early stage,\u201d says Naidoo. \u201cThis will require schools to be provided with the necessary STEM-related infrastructure such as science and computer laboratories. At the same time, we need to be focusing on encouraging female learners to take up STEM subjects so that they too can ultimately pursue careers in these fields.\u201d<\/p>\n

STEM-related careers, including engineering, have traditionally struggled to attract women. The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that initiatives and campaigns encouraging women to pursue STEM-related careers have not reached their intended target audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile professional social media platforms are extremely useful \u00a0in a business context, the reality is that such messaging may not reach primary or secondary school learners. Instead, we need to be making use of more appropriate platforms like television, radio and print media to showcase available STEM careers and raise awareness about the matric subjects required to enter these careers.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the same time, she says, we need to change the narrative about how difficult it is to pursue a STEM career and instead focus on how rewarding these careers are.<\/p>\n

For its part, Knight Pi\u00e9sold conducts roadshows to secondary schools and offers job shadow days where learners are able to visit its offices and experience a day in the life of an engineer. It supports schools within Southern Africa by sponsoring STEM-related infrastructure and offers a number of fully funded bursaries for civil engineering students with guaranteed employment after they have graduated.<\/p>\n

However, as much as private sector companies have a role to play in encouraging more learners to consider STEM-related careers, we need government and the education system to partner \u00a0in this effort, insists Naidoo. \u201cIt is only by working together that we can make a meaningful difference to develop future STEM leaders who will build a successful and prosperous Africa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

ENDS: 515 Words<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Media Enquiries<\/u><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Brindaveni Naidoo<\/p>\n

Account Director | SWM Communications<\/p>\n

Cell: 0845667459 | Email: brindaveni@swmcommunications.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Contact<\/u><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Sharlenee Moodley<\/strong>
\nMarketing Lead | Knight Pi\u00e9sold (Pty) Ltd.
\nCell: +27 84 060 9071 | Email: smoodley@knightpiesold.com<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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